Press Release

 Japan grants USD 324,074 to women’s health, supporting the urgent

sexual and reproductive health needs of vulnerable communities in Palestine

RAMALLAH, Palestine 15 February 2023 – The Government of Japan has contributed USD 324,074 in support of the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) humanitarian response to the protection and medical needs of women and girls, including enhancing access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Palestine.

This grant will enable UNFPA to assist an estimated 20,000 people, especially women and girls, equipping health facilities with lifesaving SRH drugs, instruments, and supplies, including filling gaps of urgently needed family planning commodities, as well as training for 50 health care providers on various SRH issues including family planning and safe motherhood – as well as supporting mobile clinics and field midwifery counselling for the most marginalised communities of Palestine. It builds on more than seven years of successful cooperation between the Government of Japan, the Ministry of Health and UNFPA, which has already reached over a third of a million of women through awareness activities, access to services including palliative care and psychosocial support.

UNFPA will be working closely with its partners the Ministry of Health, Palestinian Medical Relief Society, and other NGOs, as well as national health care centres to ensure access to SRH services including family planning, safe births, antenatal and post-natal care for pregnant women and women in the reproductive age. The grant will also support midwifery and breast cancer programmes; awareness raising, screening and access to services through mobile clinic, cash vouchers, and community campaigns.

“Women and mothers are the sole care giver, and guiding angels for the future generations in Palestine. They are the key future builder of Palestinian Society. This requires women health and wellbeing to be supported. Hence, we are pleased to support this project, which would not be possible without our important partnership with UNFPA to effectively implement humanitarian assistance supporting women’s health and protection in Palestine.”, said Mr. NAKASHIMA Yoichi, Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs and Representative of Japan to Palestine

Mr. Dominic Allen, UNFPA Representative for the State of Palestine said: “UNFPA extends its profound thanks and appreciation to the people and to the Government of Japan for the continuous commitment to the protection and health of Palestinian women and girls. Japanese support sustains the continuity of essential services for women and girls, especially SRH issues, and has made an immeasurable difference to thousands of vulnerable people. UNFPA looks forward to scaling the fruitful cooperation with Japan towards addressing women’s life-saving health and protection needs in Palestine”. 

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UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, delivers a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

For more information, please contact:

Osama Abueita, SRH Officer & Head of UNFPA Gaza office, State of Palestine

Tel: + 972 59 9121191, abueita@unfpa.org

Asmaa Ibrahim, Representative Office of Japan to Palestine

Tel: + 972 2 2983370,   asma@rm.mofa.go.jp

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